PDF(PDF provides a complete and accurate display of this text.)Tip?
115th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 115-515
======================================================================
NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT
_______
January 12, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Bishop of Utah, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4033]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 4033) to reauthorize the National Geologic
Mapping Act of 1992, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill
do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 4033 is to reauthorize the National
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
Background and Need for Legislation
The Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 established the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP).\1\ This program
was designed to foster cooperation and coordination between the
United States Geological Survey and the State Geologic Surveys
in generating modern, detailed, digitized, geologic maps in a
cost effective and efficient manner. These maps are intended to
foster resource development, environmental protection, and
identification and mitigation of natural hazards. Geologic maps
are records of the nature and distribution of rocks and soils,
water, energy and mineral resources both on the surface and
subsurface. There are three subcomponents to the NCGMP:
FEDMAP--A federal mapping effort by the U.S. Geological Survey;
STATEMAP--A state mapping effort by State Geologic Surveys; and
EDMAP--University programs that support geologic mapping
projects for undergraduate and graduate students.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\43 U.S.C. 31.
\2\U.S. Geological Survey, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping
Program, https://ncgmp.usgs.gov/about/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds for projects through the STATEMAP and EDMAP
subprograms are matched one to one by State dollars and are
selected through a competitive process. Each State has an
advisory committee made up of the end-users of the geologic
maps produced.\3\ These may include representatives from county
health departments, State environmental agencies, federal
agencies and the private sector. This ensures that areas with
the highest priority and need are selected for mapping
projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\U.S. Geological Survey, State Mapping Funding, https://
ncgmp.usgs.gov/about/STATEMAP/funding.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each program has a review panel which provides oversight on
the effectiveness and efficiency of the projects funded.
Representatives from federal agencies, State Surveys and the
private sector serve on the Federal Advisory Committee for the
NCGMP.
More than 8,500 new geologic maps have been produced
through this cooperative program. On average 350 new maps and
reports are produced each year. To date 49 States and Puerto
Rico have participated in this program, producing geologic maps
that are available for approximately 53% of the U.S.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\U.S. Department of the Interior 2017/2018 Annual Performance
Plan and 2016 Report, May 26, 2017, https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/
files/uploads/doi_appr_05262017_final.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another important requirement of the Geologic Mapping Act
of 1992 was the establishment of the National Geologic
Database. One of the components of this database is a catalog
that has information on most of the geologic maps ever produced
in the U.S., which amounts to more than 100,000 products.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\The National Geologic Map Database Catalog, https://
ngmdb.usgs.gov/ngmdb/ngmdb_home.html.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
These geologic maps provide valuable information needed for
identifying energy, mineral and water resources, geologic and
environmental hazards such as active faults and seismic areas,
unstable ground subject to landslides, swelling soils,
floodplains and abandoned mine lands. Understanding the sub-
surface geology and soil profiles can facilitate better
planning for septic systems in rural areas, water treatment
facilities, road construction and maintenance, home
construction and other infrastructure needs.
Funds expended in this program reap significant benefits.
An assessment of the economic benefits of detailed geologic
mapping in Kentucky commissioned by the State Geological
Surveys of Kentucky and Illinois estimated that the economic
return to Kentucky was 25 to 39 times the cost of the
program.\6\ The geologic maps in Kentucky benefited many end
users including city planners, coal and other mineral resource
developers, and water users. In Ohio, developers and engineers
who used geologic maps save on average $50,000 on each
project.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\Bhagwat, S. B., and V. C. Ipe, 2000, Economic benefits of
detailed geologic mapping to Kentucky: Illinois State Geological
Survey, Special Report 3, p. 39.
\7\Kleinhenz and Associates, 2011, An Economic Impact Analysis of
the Ohio Geological Survey's Products and Services, Ohio Geological
Survey, p. 29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
H.R. 4033 reauthorizes the National Geologic Mapping Act
through 2023 and keeps authorization levels equal to the 2005
level at $64,000,000 per fiscal year. The authorization of
appropriations for the NCGMP will expire in 2018.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1--Short title
The short title of the bill is the ``National Geologic
Mapping Act Reauthorization Act''.
Section 2--Reauthorization of National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992
This section extends the authorization for the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program through 2023. It also
replaces the Associate Director for Geology at the United
States Geological Survey (USGS) with the Associate Director for
Core Science Systems at USGS on the Geologic Mapping Advisory
Committee.
Committee Action
H.R. 4033 was introduced on October 12, 2017, by
Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. The Subcommittee
held a hearing on the bill on November 30, 2017. On December
12, 2017, the Natural Resources Committee met to consider the
bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous consent. No
amendments were offered, and the bill was ordered favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent
on December 13, 2017.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional Budget Act
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, the Committee has received the following estimate for the
bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, January 11, 2018.
Hon. Rob Bishop,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4033, the National
Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Robert Reese.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 4033--National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization Act
Summary: H.R. 4033 would authorize the annual appropriation
of $64 million through 2023 to carry out the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). Under current
law, $64 million is authorized to be appropriated each year for
the NCGMP through 2018.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 4033 would cost $246 million
over the 2018-2022 period. Enacting the bill would not affect
direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go
procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4033 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
H.R. 4033 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 4033 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------------
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2018-2022
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Authorization Level.......................................... 0 64 64 64 64 256
Estimated Outlays............................................ 0 58 61 63 64 246
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the
legislation will be enacted near the beginning of calendar year
2018 and that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for
each fiscal year. Estimated outlays are based on historical
spending patterns.
The NCGMP is carried out jointly by the U.S. Geological
Survey and state geological authorities. Under this program,
federal and state geologists are developing a comprehensive
geological map of the United States and a related database of
environmental and scientific information. Under current law,
$64 million is authorized annually through 2018 to carry out
the NCGMIP; in 2017, $24 million was allocated for that
program. H.R. 4033 would extend the $64 million annual
authorization of appropriation through 2023. CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 4033 would cost $246 million over the 2018-
2022 period and $74 million in years after 2022.
Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 4033 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2028.
Mandates: H.R. 4033 contains no intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Robert Reese;
Mandates: Zach Byrum.
Estimate approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to reauthorize the National Geologic
Mapping Act of 1992.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Compliance With H. Res. 5
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT OF 1992
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) advisory committee.--The term ``ADVISORY
COMMITTEE'' means the advisory committee established
under section 5.
(2) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the
Association of American State Geologists.
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
Director of the United States Geological Survey.
(4) Education component.--The term ``education
component'' means the education component of the
geologic mapping program described in [section 6(d)(3)]
section 4(d)(3).
(5) Federal component.--The term ``Federal
component'' means the Federal component of the geologic
mapping program described in [section 6(d)(1)] section
4(d)(1).
(6) Geologic mapping program.--The term ``geologic
mapping program'' means the National Cooperative
Geologic Mapping Program established by section 4(a).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of the Interior.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' includes the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American
Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
(9) State component.--The term ``State component''
means the State component of the geologic mapping
program described in [section 6(d)(2)] section 4(d)(2).
(10) Survey.--The term ``Survey'' means the United
States Geological Survey.
SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established a national
cooperative geologic mapping program between the United
States Geological Survey and the State geological
surveys, acting through the Association.
(2) Design, development, and administration.--The
cooperative geologic mapping program shall be--
(A) designed and administered to achieve the
objectives set forth in subsection (c);
(B) developed in consultation with the
advisory committee; and
(C) administered through the Survey.
(b) Responsibilities of the Survey.--
(1) Lead agency.--The Survey shall be the lead
Federal agency responsible for planning, developing
national priorities and standards for, coordinating,
and managing the geologic mapping program. In carrying
out this paragraph, the Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall--
(A) develop a 5-year strategic plan for the
geologic mapping program in accordance with
section 6, which plan shall be submitted to the
Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate not later than
1 year after the date of enactment of the
[Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009]
National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization
Act;
(B) appoint, with the advice and consultation
of the Association, the advisory committee not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of the [Omnibus Public Land Management Act of
2009] National Geologic Mapping Act
Reauthorization Act in accordance with section
5; and
(C) submit biennially a report to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the United States Senate and to the Committee
on Resources of the House of Representatives
identifying--
(i) how the Survey and the
Association are coordinating the
development and implementation of the
geologic mapping program;
(ii) how the Survey and the
Association establish goals, mapping
priorities, and target dates for
implementation of the geologic mapping
program; and
(iii) how long-term staffing plans
for the various components of the
geologic mapping program affect
successful implementation of the
geologic mapping program.
(2) Responsibilities of the secretary.--In addition
to paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall be responsible for developing, as soon
as practicable--
(A) in cooperation with the Association,
other Federal and State agencies, public and
private sector organizations and academia, the
geologic-map data base; and
(B) maps and mapping techniques which achieve
the objectives specified in subsection (c).
(c) Program Objectives.--The objectives of the geologic
mapping program shall include--
(1) determining the Nation's geologic framework
through systematic development of geologic maps at
scales appropriate to the geologic setting and the
perceived applications, such maps to be contributed to
the national geologic map data base;
(2) development of a complementary national
geochronologic and paleontologic data base that
provides value-added descriptive and interpretative
information to the geologic-map data base;
(3) application of cost-effective mapping techniques
that assemble, produce, translate and disseminate
geologic-map information and that render such
information of greater application and benefit to the
public; and
(4) development of public awareness of the role and
application of geologic-map information to the
resolution of national issues of land use management.
(d) Program Components.--
(1) Federal component.--
(A) In general.--The geologic mapping program
shall include a Federal geologic mapping
component, the objective of which shall be to
determine the geologic framework of areas
determined to be vital to the economic, social,
environmental, or scientific welfare of the
United States.
(B) Mapping priorities.--For the Federal
component, mapping priorities--
(i) shall be described in the 5-year
plan under section 6; and
(ii) shall be based on--
(I) national requirements for
geologic map information in
areas of multiple-issue need or
areas of compelling single-
issue need;
(II) national requirements
for geologic map information in
areas where mapping is required
to solve critical earth science
problems; and
(III) the needs of land
management agencies of the
Department of the Interior.
(C) Interdisciplinary studies.--
(i) In general.--The Federal
component shall include
interdisciplinary studies that add
value to geologic mapping.
(ii) Representative categories.--
Interdisciplinary studies under clause
(i) may include--
(I) establishment of a
national geologic map database
under section 7;
(II) studies that lead to the
implementation of cost-
effective digital methods for
the acquisition, compilation,
analysis, cartographic
production, and dissemination
of geologic map information;
(III) paleontologic,
geochrono-logic, and isotopic
investigations that provide
information critical to
understanding the age and
history of geologic map units;
(IV) geophysical
investigations that assist in
delineating and mapping the
physical characteristics and 3-
dimensional distribution of
geologic materials and geologic
structures; and
(V) geochemical
investigations and analytical
operations that characterize
the composition of geologic map
units.
(iii) Use of results.--The results of
investigations under clause (ii) shall
be contributed to national databases.
(2) State component.--
(A) In general.--The geologic mapping program
shall include a State geologic mapping
component, the objective of which shall be to
establish the geologic framework of areas
determined to be vital to the economic, social,
environmental, or scientific welfare of
individual States.
(B) Mapping priorities.--For the State
component, mapping priorities--
(i) shall be determined by State
panels representing a broad range of
users of geologic maps; and
(ii) shall be based on--
(I) State requirements for
geologic map information in
areas of multiple-issue need or
areas of compelling single-
issue need; and
(II) State requirements for
geologic map information in
areas where mapping is required
to solve critical earth science
problems.
(C) Integration of federal and state
priorities.--A national panel including
representatives of the Survey shall integrate
the State mapping priorities under this
paragraph with the Federal mapping priorities
under paragraph (1).
(D) Use of funds.--The Survey and recipients
of grants under the State component shall not
use more than 15.25 percent of the Federal
funds made available under the State component
for any fiscal year to pay indirect, servicing,
or program management charges.
(E) Federal share.--The Federal share of the
cost of activities under the State component
for any fiscal year shall not exceed 50
percent.
(3) Education component.--
(A) In general.--The geologic mapping program
shall include a geologic mapping education
component for the training of geologic mappers,
the objectives of which shall be--
(i) to provide for broad education in
geologic mapping and field analysis
through support of field studies; and
(ii) to develop academic programs
that teach students of earth science
the fundamental principles of geologic
mapping and field analysis.
(B) Investigations.--The education component
may include the conduct of investigations,
which--
(i) shall be integrated with the
Federal component and the State
component; and
(ii) shall respond to mapping
priorities identified for the Federal
component and the State component.
(C) Use of funds.--The Survey and recipients
of grants under the education component shall
not use more than 15.25 percent of the Federal
funds made available under the education
component for any fiscal year to pay indirect,
servicing, or program management charges.
(D) Federal share.--The Federal share of the
cost of activities under the education
component for any fiscal year shall not exceed
50 percent.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There shall be established a 11-
member geologic mapping advisory committee to advise
the Director on planning and implementation of the
geologic mapping program.
(2) Members ex officio.--Federal agency members shall
include the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency or a designee, the Secretary of the
Interior or a designee from a land management agency of
the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy
or a designee, and the Secretary of Agriculture or a
designee.
(3) Appointed members.--In consultation with the
Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the
advisory committee two representatives from the Survey
(including the [Associate Director for Geology]
Associate Director for Core Science Systems, as Chair),
two representatives from the State geological surveys,
one representative from academia, and 2 representatives
from the private sector.
(b) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--
(1) review and update the 5-year plan prepared by the
Director pursuant to section 6;
(2) review the scientific progress of the geologic
mapping program;
(3) provide a scientific overview of geologic maps
(including maps of geologic-based hazards) used or
disseminated by Federal agencies for regulation or
land-use planning; and
(4) submit an annual report to the Secretary that
evaluates the progress of the Federal, State, and
university mapping activities and evaluates the
progress made toward fulfilling the purposes of
sections 4 through 7.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act $64,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009
through [2018] 2023.
(b) Allocation of Appropriations.--Of any amounts
appropriated for any fiscal year in excess of the amount
appropriated for fiscal year 2005--
(1) 50 percent shall be available for the State
component; and
(2) 4 percent shall be available for the education
component.
* * * * * * *
[all]